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Chennaiyin FC hosted FC Pune City on Saturday at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium with both the team aiming to go top of the table. The home team's defensive, which conceded four goals in the last two games was a reason of concern.
Despite creating numerous chances in the early exchanges, the visiting team were unlucky to take a lead when Diego Carlos' curling shot struck the woodwork. Pune were lucky to not concede in the first half following a penalty given against them. But Rafael Augusto's introduction on the 66th minute as the forward set up Gregory Nelson in the 83rd minute to keep Chennaiyin's undefeated record against Pune intact.
With this win, Chennaiyin go to the top of the table with 20 points while Bengaluru FC's match against bottom-placed Delhi Dynamos on Sunday will decide their stay at the summit.
Chennaiyin FC
Karanjit Singh - 8/10: Was not tested to his limits in the opening minutes, but looked very assured in dealing with the threat of Diego Carlos.
Inigo Calderon - 6/10: Made excellent blocks to deny Pune goals in the first half, but was helpless against the pacy runs of the Pune wingers. Though did not look too sharp with his crosses from the flanks.
Mailson Alves - 7.5/10: Initially looked jittery, but improved as the game went on. Was responsible for tidying up the loose balls and came out on top of Carlos in the second half.
Henrique Sereno - 8/10: Put in a decent shift with repeated blocks in the first half. Helped calm the defence after a nervous start in the opening minutes.
Jerry Lalrinzuala - 7/10: Was consistently solid in defence throughout the game. The 20-year-old. Came up trumps against Adil Khan and Baljit in the second half.
Bikramjit Singh - 4/10: Seemed to struggle throughout the game and was eventually subbed off due to a muscular injury in the second half. Often allowed Alfaro too much space in front of the defence.
Dhanpal Ganesh - 4/10: Lost the battle in the midfield as he lost the cheaply on couple of ocassion, allowing Pune to put pressure on the defence. Was lucky to escape a second booking after a studs-up challenge on Jonatan Lucca.
Thoi Singh - 5/10: Was unable to control the game in the opening half and his tempo further dropped in the second half when Pune sat back.
Rene Mihelic - 4/10: Wasted a great opportunity to put his team ahead with a weak penalty. Was very ordinary in the midfield, and had to be replaced by Augusto in the second half.
Gregory Nelson - 7/10: Despite remaining calm for most of the match, took the best opportunity of the game by burying the ball at the far post in the dying minutes of the game.
Jeje Lalpekhlua - 5/10: Was isolated up front in the first half as Chennaiyin completely relied on long balls from the back. But his game improved after the introduction of Augusto.
Substitutes:
Raphael Augusto - 8.5/10: Came on for a rapturous ovation from the home crowd. Injected the much-needed urgency into the Chennaiyin attack. He created numerous chances and deservedly bagged an assisted for Nelson's goal.
Anirudh Thapa - 5/10: Came on for Bikramjit in the second half and did well in his limited time on the pitch.
Keenan Almeida - N/A: Came on in the final minutes of the game and did not have much to do.
Pune City FC
Vishal Kaith - 6/10: Saved the penalty in the first half, which could have put the home team on top against the run of play. However, he could have been better positioned to stop Nelson's shot at the far post, which eventually led to Chennaiyin's winning goal.
Sahil Panwar - 6/10: Was good going forward and came out on top of Inigo Calderon, getting near the byline. However, he became less effective as the game progressed.
Rafa Lopez - 7/10: He was a calming presence in the heart of the visitors' defence. Kept Jeje quiet throughout the game, but could do nothing to prevent the goal.
Gurtej Singh - 6/10: His partnership with Lopez kept the Chennaiyin attackers from making any significant impact inside the box in the second half. However, he allowed Nelson to sidestep him for the goal.
Jonatan Lucca - 5/10: Had a performance of two halves. Was lively with his runs behind the home defence and crosses into the box. Surprisingly looked uneasy in possession.
Ashique Kuruniyan - 6/10: Passed the ball well in the first half, which led to genuine chances for the visitors but was left clueless in the second half as Pune decided to sit back.
Rohit Kumar - 7/10: It was a decent game for the 21-year-old as his pressing of the Chennaiyin midfielders resulted in winning back the possession. Looked assured in the second half.
Adil Khan - 5/10: Made a very unnecessary foul which led to a penalty for Chennai in the first half, but was solid defensively. Moved into midfield after Tebar's replacement and was unable to fill in his creative shoes.
Marcos Tebar - 8/10: Was good with breaking up the play in the midfield and starting attacks, but was forced off the pitch early in the second half, after which Pune lost steam going forward.
Diego Carlos - 8.5/10: Completely repaid the faith of the coach with a brilliant performance. His dribbling was a nightmare for the Chennaiyin centre-backs. Unlucky to have his curler hit the woodwork.
Emiliano Alfaro - 6/10: Once again, the fulcrum of creativity for Pune's attack. Put in some dangerous crosses in the first half, but was unusually calm in the second.
Substitutes:
Baljit Sahni - 5/10: Came on for Tebar and was able to put in some initial crosses into the box. Was not able to win battles against Jerry on the right side.
Robertino - 4.5/10: Replaced Lucca in the 68th minute but was unable to bring back the sting with which Pune attacked in the first half.
Isaac Vanmalsawma - N/A: Came on as a late substitute after Chennaiyin looked assured on the ball. Did not have time to make an impact.
